Discover the untamed beauty of Pemba Island at Fundu Lagoon, a luxurious resort that offers guests an eco-conscious escape amidst pristine nature in one of the best travel destinations. This private paradise seamlessly blends traditional style with sustainable tourism, creating a destination that harmonises with its environment. Fundu Lagoon has captured the hearts of travellers since it opened in 1999, attracting those looking for travel destinations that offer an authentic experience away from the everyday. Here, guests are invited to unwind on white sandy beaches, take in stunning ocean views, and enjoy the immersive beauty of the island.
*** Fundu Lagoon is not suitable for children under 12 years of age
Sustainable Luxury at Fundu Lagoon
Located along the remote western coastline of Pemba Island, Fundu Lagoon is dedicated to preserving the natural landscape and supporting local communities. With pathways crafted by local artisans, Makuti thatch roofs, and a deep-sea jetty, the resort was built using exclusively local resources. Fundu Lagoon is also active in community initiatives, working with neighbouring villages to enhance healthcare, education, and water access. The resort also provides emergency transport when necessary, helping ensure the well-being of the local people. Choosing Fundu Lagoon among travel destinations means guests play a role in sustainable tourism, contributing to the positive impact on Pemba’s communities and environment.
Luxury Tented Accommodation and World-Class Amenities
Fundu Lagoon’s accommodation offers an unmatched experience of secluded luxury. Each tented room is tucked away in the hillside or along the beachfront, featuring Makuti thatched roofs, private terraces, and, in the suites, private plunge pools. The resort’s Beachfront Rooms allow guests to step right onto the sand, while the Beach and Jungle Suites offer elevated decks for a more private experience. The Superior Suites provide an opulent retreat, complete with a spacious lounge, outdoor dining deck, and expansive plunge pool. However, please note that Fundu Lagoon is not recommended for children under the age of 12, making it one of the many ideal travel destinations for adults seeking tranquillity.
Dining and Relaxation at Fundu Lagoon
Fundu Lagoon’s open-air restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy international and Swahili cuisine, inspired by the flavours of Pemba Island. Four unique bars provide varied ambiances: unwind at the jetty, take in shoreline views, or relax by the infinity pool with treetop ocean views. To complement the resort’s serene setting, the on-site spa offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials, and more. Fundu Lagoon ensures that relaxation and rejuvenation are a focus of your stay.
Adventure and Exploration on Pemba Island
For those seeking adventure, Fundu Lagoon offers activities that make the most of Pemba’s natural beauty. Guests can experience diving in the surrounding waters through the on-site PADI dive centre. Known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, Pemba Island is a prime spot for snorkelling excursions, particularly at Misali Island’s coral reefs. Morning dolphin safaris, kayaking through mangrove forests, and village treks also offer unique perspectives of the island’s culture and environment.
Unforgettable Pemba Island Experiences
One of the highlights of Fundu Lagoon’s offerings is the Sunset Dhow Cruise, where up to 16 guests can sail across the bay with refreshments. This traditional cruise provides an unforgettable evening view of the Indian Ocean, ideal for those seeking romantic and scenic travel destinations. Guests may also explore Pemba’s historic sites, including Chake Chake, the island’s capital, and the ancient Jambangome ruins. Private, custom-made tours are available, introducing travellers to the rich history, spice plantations, and lush biodiversity of the island’s Ngezi Forest.
A Second Home on Pemba Island
Over the years, Fundu Lagoon has welcomed guests from all over the world, who return for the warmth and hospitality of its team. Whether coordinating travel details or planning special occasions, the team’s attention to detail ensures each visit is memorable. As one of the top travel destinations in the Indian Ocean, Fundu Lagoon offers a unique combination of luxury, adventure, and cultural immersion.
For those in search of travel destinations that promise a peaceful retreat in a stunning natural setting, Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island is an exceptional choice. From eco-friendly accommodations to local cultural experiences, every aspect of Fundu Lagoon has been thoughtfully designed to respect and enhance its surroundings. Experience Pemba Island’s unspoiled beauty and make memories to last a lifetime.
Rooms
Fundu Lagoon’s thatched roofs shade and shelter luxury tented accommodation. The resort layout flows along the contours where the jungle hillside meets the shoreline, making the most of the natural environment to give each room a tremendous sense of privacy alongside stunning ocean views. All of Fundu’s rooms have their own terraces furnished with sun loungers while suites have private plunge pools, chill out areas and wide decking.
Fundu Lagoon offers plenty of opportunities for you to relax and feel pampered during your stay. There are four bars, each reflecting different aspects of the hotel’s locations, shoreline, poolside, jetty and restaurant bar. The spacious open-sided restaurant serves excellent international and Swahili cuisine and, higher up on the hillside, the stunning infinity pool provides far-reaching treetop views over the Indian Ocean. Next to the pool, the hotel spa offers a wide range of treatments whilst Fundu Lagoon’s dedicated Dive Centre near the jetty and main reception area is ready to provide everything required to explore Pemba Island’s vast ocean surroundings.
- Standard Hillside Rooms
These rooms are located on the hillside, enjoying privacy, panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and a cooling breeze. The decks have recently been extended to accommodate two chairs and two sun loungers. - Standard Beachfront Rooms
These rooms are located on the beach so guests can stroll straight from their bungalow onto the beach. Each bungalow has two sun loungers on the beach as well as a small private deck area. - Beach Suite
Situated right on the beach, this bungalow has an extensive private deck with an elevated seating area for relaxing and reading, as well as a private plunge pool. - Jungle Suite
Our Jungle Suite is slightly set back from the beach among the mangroves with great privacy. The suite has an extensive private deck with an elevated seating area for relaxing and reading, as well as a private plunge pool. - Superior Suites
These extensive suites (9m x 6m) offer superior accommodation, incorporating a stylish bedroom and an open plan lounge. The spacious outside deck area is perfect for intimate dining and guests have the option of cooling down in the huge private plunge pool. Superior suites incorporate a stone-walled bathroom with a double sink and shower.
Dining
Fundu offers some of the best cuisine in East Africa, reflecting the cultural heritage of Zanzibar to create a fusion of Arabic, Indian, Swahili and Colonial influences.
A daily fisherman’s catch and tropical fruits add an exotic twist to familiar international dishes. Fundu Lagoon’s chefs provide delicious picnics for excursions and private dining can also be arranged for special celebrations with your own personal chef and waiter. There are regular beach barbecues as well as feasts of Swahili cuisine and music.
Three course meals are served for lunch and dinner in the main restaurant, a beautiful cool space that is shaded by the soaring ceiling of Makati thatch and left open sided allowing all tables to benefit from the fantastic ocean views.
Fundu Lagoon’s four bars serve a range of fresh juices, wines, beers, and cocktails. The Jetty Bar is a favourite place to lounge and watch the fisherman and dhow boats passing by during the day or to enjoy the sunset views. Meanwhile the main bar, situated in the hub of the hotel, is a relaxing place for a post dinner nightcap. The poolside and beach bars serve cooling drinks and light snacks throughout the day.
All meals and soft drinks, beers and a daily bottle of house wine are included in Fundu’s hospitality. Additional premium spirits and wines are also available upon request.
Private Candlelit Dinner – A romantic evening on the beach with a table for two, personal chef and waiting staff. Those with suites can dine on their deck or on the beach.
Facilities
There is plenty to do if you would like to explore all that Pemba Island has to offer and we delight in helping guests discover the island, from easy walks through the neighbouring villages to dolphin safaris there is plenty to inspire and engage all your senses.
Diving – Fundu Lagoon is a diver’s paradise and hosts its own five stars PADI dive centre offering courses as well as everything that more experienced divers might need. The water around Pemba includes a stunning range of pristine sites, from turquoise shallows to hundred-meter coral drop-offs and the island’s remote location means that you can have the entire ocean to yourself when you go out to explore Pemba’s hidden underwater treasures.
Snorkelling – Snorkelling equipment is available from the dive centre at Fundu Lagoon, however the range of marine life close to the shoreline is limited and we highly recommend a snorkelling tour to the coral reefs off nearby Misali island as the best way to discover the impressive biodiversity in the regions waters.
Dolphin Safaris – The best time to enjoy the energy and excitement of the resident dolphin pods is early in the morning when impressive spinner dolphins jump and display. Take the boat out and see who joins you on your trip before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
Kayaking – Explore the best views of the local mangrove forests during the cooler moments of the day. Kayaks are available from the Dive Centre and our team are on hand to give you advice on the best routes to take as you set out to explore for yourself.
Village treks – Within walking distance of the resort are three traditional local villages. Our staff can show you around the unique clay houses, banana and cassava plantations as well as the local fruit and vegetable plots farmed by families. Guests are asked to dress modestly when walking outside the resort and to seek permission before taking photos. Donations are best given to the villagers via the collection point in Fundu Lagoon’s reception area.
Pemba Island Expertise – Fundu Lagoon has been welcoming guests to the west coast of Pemba Island for more than 20 years. Hospitality comes naturally to our staff and their care and experience are the magic that turns a visit to Fundu Lagoon into a restorative and relaxing second island home. Whether coordinating travel arrangements, planning extra special occasions or simply providing plenty of space, Fundu Lagoon it a special place to unwind and recharge.
The name Pemba translates as “The Green Island” and it has been offering safe haven for spice traders and travellers for more than a thousand years, layering a rich human history alongside the island’s marvellous wildlife.
Tours on Pemba Island – Pemba has a long history and its capital city Chake Chake includes a museum and an old Portuguese fort. Custom-made tours can be arranged to explore the city or alternatively tour across the island to discover the heady atmosphere of spice plantations and visit the diverse nature on the island at Ngezi forest and Kidike where flying foxes abound.
Jambangome ruins & river safari – Cruise up a meandering creek at high tide and walk-through local farmland to find the atmospheric and rarely visited ruins of one of the first settlements on Pemba Island where ornate carvings are being reclaimed and covered by jungle roots and foliage.
Sunset Dhow Cruise – Relax with a glass of wine or cold beer and refreshments aboard our traditional dhow as we sail into the sunset with up to 16 guests. Private cruises offer a romantic touch, with a bottle of champagne and fresh canapes.
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